Whooping Crane

A Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is the tallest bird in North America and one of its most endangered species. They are known for their striking white plumage and their long-distance migration.

The Whooping Crane is a large bird with a pure white body, a long neck, and long black legs. They have a distinctive red patch on their crown and a black "mask" around their eyes. Their black primary feathers are visible when their wings are spread in flight. They stand up to 5 feet tall with a wingspan of over 7 feet.

Whooping Cranes nest in marshes and wetlands, particularly in the boreal forests and wetlands of Canada. In the winter, they migrate south to coastal salt marshes and inland wetlands in the southern United States. They are omnivores, foraging in shallow water for crustaceans, insects, small fish, and frogs, as well as seeds and berries.

Once widespread, the Whooping Crane was pushed to the brink of extinction due to hunting and habitat loss. By the 1940s, only about 15 individuals remained. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, including habitat protection and reintroduction programs, their population has slowly increased. They are a protected species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and their recovery is considered a major success story in wildlife conservation.